Estimation of optimum moisture content and maximum dry unit weight of fine-grained soils using numerical methods

Abstract

Soil compaction is one of the basic engineering techniques, which is carried out to guarantee the stability of soils dependent on specified strength. Nonetheless, in large-scale construction projects, the estimation of compaction features required tremendous effort and time that can be saved utilizing empirical relationships at the initial phases. It becomes critical to develop models to predict the compaction features, namely the maximum dry unit weight (γdmax) and optimum water content (WOP). This article attempts to develop models to predict the γdmax and WOP of fine-grained clay soils. Geotechnical tests such as grain size distribution, Atterberg limits, specific gravity, and proctor compaction tests are performed to assess soil samples' physical and hyro-mechanical characteristics. Multivariate analysis is conducted using MINITAB 18 software to develop the predictive models. The validation process of developed models includes the determination coefficient, probability value (p-value), comparison of the predicted values with experimental values, comparison of the models proposed in this study with other existing models found in the recent literature, and employing a different soil data set. The predicted values obtained from the models proposed in this research project are more accurate than other models developed recently. The proposed models estimate the compaction features of fine-grained clay soils with acceptable precision.